Cable speedo drive converter for electronic transmissions

[richie8664]

I've been looking for solutions to the ever diminishing number of sherpa van versions (with cable speedo drive)of the ZF4HP22 transmission.

I found this in the states.

www.dakotadigital.com/index.cfm/page/ptype=product/product_id=886/category_id=-1/mode=prod/prd886.htm

Has anyone tried one (or something similar) as it would widen the choice of ZF transmissions (if it works)?

It converts an electronic speedo output from the transmission to a motor driven cable, with either GM screw, GM clip on or Ford clip on connections (at the speedo end), which I assume could be changed if no good for the P5B speedo.

[eightofthem (Andy)]

Not personally, but I have supplied a few of the non speedo driven ZF boxes and the owners have used the Dakota system to good effect.
There was a small issue with the stepper motor failing, but Dakota replaced them without issue.
The cable to the speedo head does need to be modified to fit the Rover.
There was also a chap over on the classic rover forum who successfully adapted a short tail ZF and retrofitted a drive output.
I also know someone who set up his own version with magnetos in the prop flange, but I have no details on that.

[richie8664]

Thanks for that. Sorry for the tardy "thank you".

I'll give that a try once I'm doing the engine rebuild and gearbox work, which will come once the panels are stripped from the body for the respraying, which is set to start during the coming summer now the big workshop is finished. So it will all be done in no time at all really - fitting it all in between having to work. 

Well, I am allowed to dream!

[enigmas]

Be careful not to completely dismantle the car as it can be very hard to maintain enthusiasm and the necessary drive to finish tasks with too many changes being implemented concurrently.

[richie8664]

I know the risk but as the bodywork repairs were finished about 7 years ago and it has just sat in the garage I've decided to paint it myself. The quotes for having it done were ridiculous due to my wanting to remove the engine and box twice (once for overhaul of v8, fitting efi, and replacement with a ZF 4 speed and then after putting it back to make sure it all worked, removal again to spray the engine bay, subframe and underside and paint and powder coat the engine) as I'd built the 30m2 workshop for another project with a milling machine and lathe at the far end, I thought I could make use of it for spraying and keep the core body of the car in the double garage until all the panels were done.

I also know my own tendency to lose interst (the car's been off the road since 1991 when I found the missing catch boxes under the rear wings!) so by doing it a panel at a time (the two n/o/s rear wings, boot and one door I had done about 5 years ago) I lessen the risk of losing interest having stripped the whole car back to bare metal and then letting it slowly rust away again. You can see something positive with each panel and billpaying work is currently lending itself to having three months off starting this summer to see how much I can get done, and to still be able to pay someone else to work on my house, which I wouldn't get done if I paid for the respray.

A lot of ducks to get in a row yet though.